How to choose an ultrasonic diagnostic instrument?
Budget should of course be considered when choosing an ultrasound system, but it is also very important to consider the intended application. These factors will influence our choice.
First, it is necessary to consider the major imaging modalities that currently exist:
Type B (brightness) ultrasonic system;
M-type ultrasonic system;
Color Doppler imaging to explore blood flow in arteries and veins;
Ultrasound elastography measures the stiffness of tissue.
Philips Portable Ultrasound
Then, the size and weight of the equipment must be considered:
Dimensions and Weight of Ultrasounds: Whether Portable, Platform or Handheld: Ultrasounds available today can be easily transported from one unit of a hospital to another. Many handheld (fit in the hand) models weigh as little as 500g and fit easily in a pocket or bag; some can connect wirelessly to a smartphone. Therefore, they are very useful for first aid and point-of-care.
It's also important to take into account the size of the screen and the quality of the image. Some portable ultrasound machines can display up to 250 gray scales, while others have color screens. Brightness is also an important factor to consider, especially if you need to use the ultrasound system outdoors, such as a veterinary environment. The brightness must be adjustable without affecting the readability of the test results.
Type and number of probes (shape, frequency, etc.). The type of probe you choose will depend on the operation to be performed. Now there are all-in-one probes that can convert a smartphone or tablet into an ultrasound system. These are based on a downloadable app and one or more tiny probes (surface, abdomen, heart, etc.) that connect to a phone or tablet via a simple USB port. You can then view the results directly on your device. This type of equipment is suitable for emergency physicians as well as sports or humanitarian.
Battery life is another parameter to consider, especially when choosing a portable or handheld ultrasound system. For this type of device, the battery life is preferably several hours.
